the strongest argument, the state constitutions and the virtuous republic are the strongest arguments to make in favor of the idea that america was founded as a christian nation. this is an historical treatment. it is almost impossible, except for demographics, it is hard to make an argument after the civil war that america is somehow a christian nation and that is because of the 14th amendment. it says that states must abide by the bill of rights. it is designed for slavery, right? the states have to -- they can no longer make their decisions regarding slavery but later in the 20th century, the 14th amendment was applied to eligion and the argument went, you can no longer say as a state, we have an established church. that would violate either article six of the constitution or the first amendment. the states, on religious issues, must conform to -- they may not like it, but they are legally bound to conform to the bill of rights or article six. it is very hard on that front to make an argument that america today is a christian nation. look at the states. that does not apply anymore